However local emergency services in some regions cancelled events, saying it was too hazardous for worshippers to cut bathing holes in icy ponds and rivers
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00:00Thousands of Russians marked the Orthodox Christian Feast's Day of Epiphany on Sunday,
00:05a ritual that commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River.
00:10Many celebrated the feast with a traditional dip into icy water.
00:14However, unusually warm winter temperatures prompted local emergency services in some
00:19regions to cancel events.
00:22In the affected regions, emergency officials warned that the ice was simply too thin for
00:28worshippers to bathe safely.
00:45Meanwhile Russian Defense Ministry released footage purportedly showing the ceremonial
00:50event being observed by its servicemen fighting in Ukraine.
00:55Orthodox Christians in Russia extol the practice of Epiphany as strengthening both the soul
01:00and the body.